Traction or propulsion mechanism of the walking type



'Oct. 14, 1941. c. MCL. CAMERON ET AL 2,259,200

TRACTION OR PROPULSION MECHANISM OF THE WALKING TYPE Filed Feb. 21, 194017/1 61? 22/; QML .c AMERON A .T. H EATH IKMWHKJE "1L,

Patented Oct. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRACTION ORPROPULSION MECHANISM OF THE WALKING TYPE Colin McLeod Cameron and AlfredThomas Application February 21, 1940, Serial No. 320,223 In GreatBritain March 3, 1939 1 Claim.

This invention relates to traction or propulsion mechanism of thewalking type (hereinafter termed walking mechanism), that is to say ofthe type comprising ground-engaging members in the form of feet to eachof which is imparted a combined longitudinal and vertical movement suchthat the apparatus on which the mechanism is used and which is normallytermed a walking machine is raised from the ground by downward movementof the feet, caused to travel by longitudinal movement of the feet, andthen lowered to the ground again by the upward movement of the feet.

In such mechanism each foot 15 carried by a member to which movement isimparted by a power-driven rotating eccentric or crank and variousproposals have been made for transmitting motion from each eccentric orcrank to its associated foot.

The present invention has for its object to provide improved walkingmechanism of the above general type.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways but oneconstruction according to the invention is illustrated somewhatdiagrammatically by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in whichFigure 1 is a side elevation,

Figure 2 is a rear elevation, and

Figure 3 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of part of theconstruction shown in Figure 1 showing the apparatus in a slightlydifferent position.

In the construction illustrated the machine comprises a main framedesignated generally A from each side of which projects the end of apower-driven shaft 13 to which is connected a crank B to B eccentric orthe equivalent indicated generally at C. This eccentric or theequivalent crank BB may be of the kind forming the subject of thepresent applicants United States of America patent application SerialNo. 320,222 filed February 21, 1940 and engages a circular track formedat an intermediate point in the length of an approximately verticallever D as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. As shown, the lever D hascomparatively small length in relation to its width.

Pivotally connected, preferably by a universal coupling, to the lowerend of each lever D is a foot" D the coupling comprising for example amember D connected to the lever D by a pivot extending parallel to theaxis of rotation of the shaft B and to the foot D by a pivot extendingparallel to the direction of travel of the machine.

Pivotally connected to the upper end of the lever D is one end of a linkE extending in an approximately horizontal direction when in its meanposition and pivotally connected at its other end at E to a fixed partof the machine.

The dimensions of the various parts may vary but in one example in whichthe distance between the axis of the bearing or track engaged by theeccentric C and the point at which the foot D is pivoted to the lever Dis between three and three-and-a-half times the distance between theaxis of rotation of the shaft B and the axis of the bearing or trackengaged by the eccentric C, the length of the link E may beapproximately three times the distance between the axis of rotation ofthe shaft B and the axis of the bearing or track engaged by the spiderC.

The manner in which the eccentrics or their equivalent C are supportedand driven may vary but in a convenient arrangement they may besupported and driven by apparatus of the kind forming the subject of thepresent applicants copending United States of America patent applicationSerial No. 320,222 filed February 21, 1940.

It is to be understood that the construction more particularly describedabove is given by way of example only and that the form of theeccentric, crank or its equivalent for imparting movement to the leverD, the manner in which the eccentric, crank or its equivalent is drivenand supported and other details of construction may be modifiedconsiderably according to requirements without departing from thisinvention.

What we claim as our invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

A walking machine including, in combination, two feet, an approximatelyvertical lever associated with each foot and to the lower end of whichthe foot is pivotally connected, a powerdriven rotary crank-likeoperating member acting on the central part of said lever, and a linkpivotally connected at one end to substantially the upper end of saidmember and at its other end to a fixed part of the machine and extendingin a substantially horizontal direction and which link when in its meanposition has a substantially horizontal component.

COLIN MCLEOD CAMERON. ALFRED THOMAS HEATH.

